Can you believe that Janet Jackson turns 60 this week, and to celebrate I’m picking ten of my favourite singles from her illustrious career so far.
Her first single release was over 40 years ago in 1982 when she released the uplifting discopop of ‘Young Love’ in the US, giving her the first of 42 Billboard Hot 100 hits there. Her last single release as a lead artist was 2018’s ‘Made For Now’ featuring Daddy Yankee, and she has kept fans hungry ever since.
Whittling down her 50 plus singles to just 10 of the best is no easy task, but read on to find out which Janet jams made it onto my personal list:
10. Runaway
With it’s world music influences and lyrics that literally take us around the globe, Janet’s ‘Runaway’ was the perfect lead single for her first greatest hits collection ‘Design Of A Decade’ in 1995. The track was written and produced by Janet alongside long term collaborators Jam & Lewis and is a laidback, summery groove about travelling the world and the only thing missing being that special someone to share it with. It peaked at No.6 in the UK, adding to Janet’s run of over 20 UK Top 40 hits at the time.
9. Again
The third single from 1993’s ‘Janet’ album and we are in proper ballad territory as Janet reflects on an old relationship that she tells herself she won’t return to again…but can she resist? It was used as the closing song in the film ‘Poetic Justice’ in which Janet starred. It received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, but alas didn't win either. Janet showed off a certain je ne sais quoi by releasing a french version of the song on the CD single. Ooh la la!
8.Best Things In Life Are Free
This duet with Luther Vandross was first released in 1992 and featured on the soundtrack to the film ‘Mo Money’ which starred the Wayans brothers. It features a rap from members of Bell Biv Devoe and Ralph Tresvant. It’s an uplifting love song with feel-good vibes that was held off the UK No.1 for two weeks in the summer of 1992 by Snap! ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer’. It was re-released with a new K-Klass remix in 1995 and that also made it to the Top 10 UK Official Chart, this time peaking at No.7.
7. Feedback
Janet had always been heavily involved in the writing and production of her albums since ‘Control’, but in 2008 after signing to Island Records her tenth studio album ‘Discipline' would see her let others help with writing duties. The lead single ‘Feedback’ was written by Darkchild, D’Mile, Tasleema Yasin and LaShawn Daniels and is a grinding, pop electro song that playfully uses music innuendos to make the listen feel sexy, sexy, sexy!
6.Rhythm Nation
The title song to her fourth studio album is still incredibly relevant today in its call to join voices in protest to social injustice. ‘Rhythm Nation’ showed Janet’s awareness at the state of the world (pun intended!) and her desire to use her music and art to unite rather than divide. The black and white video showcases some of Janet’s most iconic choreography and takes inspiration from the films Blade Runner and Fahrenheit 451. It peaked at 23 on the UK charts in November 1989, but fared better in the US where it went to No.2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
5. All For You
The title track to Janet’s seventh studio album was the first single release from a more lighthearted album than it’s predecessor and was an instant earworm. The opening refrain of ‘All my girls at the party, look at that body…’ gets stuck in your head and the sample of ‘The Glow Of Love’ by Change from 1980 drives the song along nicely. It peaked at No.3 on the UK Singles Chart becoming one of her highest charting singles.
4. What Have You Done For Me Lately
After her first two studio albums, Janet decided it was time to get writing and take more ownership of her music career. That album was aptly named ‘Control’ and saw the start of a hugely successful working relationship with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album really put Janet on the map and defined her sound, ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ being the feisty introductory single. The video starts with her having a chat with her then choreographer and friend Paula Abdul asking ‘I know he used to do nice things….but what has he done for you late-leeeeee?’.
3. That’s The Way Love Goes
Following the socially aware messaging of ‘Rhythm Nation’, in 1993, Janet proved she was in a more sensual mood for her follow up album, simply titled ‘Janet’. Rather than come back with a big dance number, she surprised and delighted fans with the sultry mid-tempo ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’. The video featured a pre-breakthrough appearance from Jennifer Lopez as one of Janet’s pals who are teasing Janet they want to hear her new song. It’s one of Janet’s signature songs and just missed out on giving her a UK No.1 single, held off by the Five Live EP – a charity record in honour of Freddie Mercury with songs from Queen, George Michael and Lisa Stansfield. It did however, became Janet’s 6th Billboard Hot 100 No.1.
2. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
The seventh and final UK single from the ‘Rhythm Nation’ album is the funky love song ‘Love Will Never Do (Without You). The video sees a playful Janet in sensual and flirty form and was directed by legendary fashion photographer Herb Ritts. It also features actor Djimon Hounsou who went on to have Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his work in films including Amistad and Blood Diamond. It gave Janet a record-breaking fourth Hot 100 No.1 from one album becoming only the third album by a solo female to enjoy this accolade at the time.
1. Together Again
In 1997, Janet released her ‘Velvet Rope’ album which saw her in a more introspective mood and dealt with subjects as diverse as sexuality, domestic abuse and death. It was the latter, that inspired the unexpectedly upbeat, joyous banger ‘Together Again’. Written in part about a friend who had passed away from AIDS, it celebrates their live and gives the listener hope that loved ones remain with us. It spent two weeks at the top of the US Billboard Top 100 and peaked at No.4 on the Official UK Singles Chart and has gone on to become her biggest selling single in the UK (certified Platinum).
Honourable mentions to ‘Nasty’, ‘Son Of A Gun’, ‘No Sleeep’, ‘If’ and ‘Alright’ that just missed out on my Top 10. And as for you Miss Jackson, once you’ve finished celebrating your birthday and your Japanese Tour, isn’t it time you dropped some new music please?
